Materials and Method for Promotion of Nerve Regeneration

Abstract

The subject invention pertains to the therapeutic use of certain GAG-degrading enzymes, and enzyme combinations, to promote nerve repair and regeneration.

1 . A method for preparing a nerve graft for implantation comprising applying at least one heparin sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme to the nerve graft. 
     
     
         2 . The method, according to  claim 1 , which comprises administering a heparan sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme that is selected from the group consisting of heparinase heparinase III, heparinase; and matrix metalloproteinase. 
     
     
         3 . The method, according to  claim 2 , wherein said enzyme is heparinase I or heparinase III. 
     
     
         4 . The method, according to  claim 1 , further comprising administering at least one other GAG-degrading enzyme to the nerve. 
     
     
         5 . The method, according to  claim 1 , further comprising administering to the nerve at least one chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme. 
     
     
         6 . The method, according to  claim 5 , wherein the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme is selected ftom the group consisting of chondroitinase ABC, chondroitinase A, chondroitinase C, and chondroitinase AC. 
     
     
         7 . The method, according to  claim 1 , further comprising administering to the nerve at least one keratan sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme. 
     
     
         8 . The method, according to  claim 7 , wherein said keratin sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme is keratanase or endo-b-galactosidase. 
     
     
         9 . A nerve graft for implantation comprising nerve tissue prepared by a method comprising applying at least one heparin sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme to the nerve tissue.